TRV
Mark 15:22
Bible Versions
¶ And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.
They brought Yeshua to a place called Gulgolta (which means "place of a skull"),
They brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha, which means The Place of the Skull.
And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.
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Matthew 27:33
¶ And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, -
Matthew 27:44
The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. -
John 19:17
And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called [the place] of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: -
John 19:27
Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own [home]. -
Luke 23:27
And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. -
Luke 23:38
And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Mark 15:22 describes a pivotal moment in the crucifixion narrative: the arrival of Jesus at the execution site. After suffering intense scourging and mockery by the Roman soldiers, He is led to the place where His ultimate sacrifice will occur.
Historical and Cultural Context
This verse points to the grim destination for condemned criminals in Roman-occupied Judea. Executions, especially crucifixions, were carried out outside the city walls of Jerusalem to avoid defiling the holy city and to serve as a stark public deterrent. The journey to Golgotha, often called the "Via Dolorosa" or "Way of Suffering" in tradition, was part of the condemned's public humiliation.
Golgotha, also known as Calvary (a Latinized term), was a well-known execution site, likely a small hill or rocky outcrop whose appearance might have resembled a skull, or perhaps it was named for the skulls of executed criminals left there. This location underscores the brutal reality of Roman punishment and the public nature of Jesus' death.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The name Golgotha is an Aramaic word (גֻּלְגָּלְתָּא, Gulgaltâ) meaning "skull." Mark, writing for a Gentile audience who might not understand Aramaic, provides the direct Greek translation: "The place of a skull." This detail is also noted in other Gospel accounts, such as Matthew 27:33, Luke 23:33, and John 19:17. The interpretation confirms the desolate and morbid nature of the site.
Practical Application
This verse invites us to reflect on the gravity of Jesus' sacrifice. The journey to Golgotha was not just a physical movement but the final steps in a divine mission. It reminds us that our salvation was purchased at a specific, real place, through real suffering. Considering the "place of a skull" should evoke a sense of solemn awe, recognizing the immense cost of our redemption and the radical love demonstrated by Christ's willingness to go to that place for us. It challenges believers to consider the depth of God's love for the world, which led Him to such a desolate and painful location.